What is it about?
This paper presents a parametric modeling and simulation framework, developed in MATLAB/Simulink using the Simscape library, to evaluate the vertical dynamics and energy performance of active suspension systems in road vehicles. The model represents a quarter-car system where the active suspension actuator is modeled as a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) driving a bidirectional ball-screw mechanism. The framework simulates road excitation across various ISO 8608 road profiles (Classes B, C, and D) and analyzes comfort and road-holding metrics alongside the instantaneous electrical power, enabling the quantification of both energy consumption and regenerative potential under different driving scenarios.
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Why is it important?
In electric vehicle (EV) design, optimizing the efficiency of auxiliary subsystems is crucial for maximizing driving range. Active suspensions offer superior ride quality by overcoming the classic trade-off between comfort and stability. However, they rely on permanent magnet brushless motors that require Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) like Neodymium, which carry high environmental impacts during primary production. This research addresses a vital circular design trade-off: using high-performance motors (which have high production impacts due to CRM requirements) vs. their operational energy footprint. It highlights that drivetrain efficiency and regenerative capabilities must be assessed through a holistic, life-cycle perspective to ensure that vehicle performance improvements do not come at the expense of overall sustainability.
Perspectives
Active suspension systems act like "smart" shock absorbers in premium cars, using electric motors to actively adjust to bumps on the road to make the ride smoother and safer. However, these systems require electricity to run and use rare, highly polluting metals (such as neodymium) inside their motors. This study introduces a computer simulation tool that helps engineers calculate exactly how much electricity these smart suspensions consume, and how much they can generate back through braking, across different types of roads. Our findings show that using eco-friendly or recycled magnets, which are slightly less efficient, can significantly increase electricity consumption on bumpy roads. This tool helps designers balance passenger comfort, energy savings, and eco-friendly manufacturing to build more sustainable electric cars.
Maurizio Guadagno
Universita degli Studi di Firenze
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Modeling and Simulation of Active Suspension System for Road Vehicles and Sensitivity to Design Criteria for Energy Efficiency, March 2026, MDPI AG,
DOI: 10.3390/engproc2026131017.
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